Buying through your teeth: traditional currency and conservation of flying foxesPteropusspp. in Solomon Islands

Abstract

AbstractGlobally, island bats are vulnerable to subsistence hunting, with widespread population declines, local extirpations and extinctions. Bats are important to the ecological functioning of remote oceanic islands, and thus the sustainable management of hunting of flying foxesPteropusspp. is a conservation priority in the Pacific. In Solomon Islands people hunt flying foxes for bushmeat and their canine teeth, which are used as traditional currency. The value of teeth potentially increases hunting pressure on species ofPteropus. We interviewed 197 people on Makira Island to determine the nature of this use and how it may influence flying-fox populations. We asked questions to gather information about hunting practices, the value of canine teeth, utilization of traditional currency, and population trends ofPteropus. Flying-fox teeth remain highly valued on Makira. It is primarily the teeth ofP. tonganusthat are used rather than those of the smallerP. cognatus. Although flying foxes are not targeted solely for their teeth, this added value seemingly drives hunters to focus onP. tonganus. Hunting varied across five regions of Makira and high hunting pressure corresponded with perceived rarity ofP. tonganus. Regions with low hunting pressure may be opportune locations to initiate flying-fox conservation on Makira.